Oldest chicken?

[leighks]

In the process of planning for possible additions to my flock (they are currently 9 months old), I was looking up info on chicken lifespan. According to the internet, the average lifespan of backyard chickens is 8-10 years. Barring unforeseen circumstances, like disease, or predators, or culling, does this sound right? And what’s the oldest hen or rooster you have ever had??
Just curious.

 

[Welshies]

That is about right, but hens will not lay that long.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Redneck and Hemorrhoid (my father's Old English Game bantam roosters) are nearly nine years old, now. They're both doing fine, so yes, that sounds about right.

 

[emgrider]

This picture is of my Ducky last summer. She is 6 years old, and lays a wonky egg about once a month. She is the first chicken I ever owned, and like a little lapdog! I love her to pieces!!

 

[The Phantom]

Ducky is a cute name and bird!

 

[BantyChooks]

Sounds about right. Oldest bird I've had was a 9yr old EE, but in general I cull at 2--3 so I can't give an average.

 

[BantyChooks]

That is about right, but hens will not lay that long.

They may not lay well, but most DP hens will still give eggs at that age if cared for properly. There was a member on here that still got 4--5 eggs per week from 8 year old hens. She was a great lady, her birds were probably the best cared for I've seen on here yet.

 

[Welshies]

They may not lay well, but most DP hens will still give eggs at that age if cared for properly. There was a member on here that still got 4--5 eggs per week from 8 year old hens. Great lady, her birds were probably the best cared for I've seen on here yet.

Neat!
I have heard of the occasional case, but it's very uncommon. Especially with those that actually have production breeds, which stop laying around 5 years old because they run out of ova so fast.

 

[BantyChooks]

Neat!
I have heard of the occasional case, but it's very uncommon. Especially with those that actually have production breeds, which stop laying around 5 years old because they run out of ova so fast.

Birds referenced were DP (Australorps, White Rocks, and a few others my mind unfortunately does not recall) and laid like that all their lives.
Sexlinks are another story. They're bred to give 365 eggs their first year then drop dead.

The bird I kept stopped laying at about six years of age due to severe health issues. She recovered but never laid again, poor thing.

 

[leighks]

Birds referenced were DP and laid like that all their lives. Call it uncommon if you will but I don't believe it. Birds are born with tens of thousands of ova; admittedly most of them never develop to the point of production, but you're still left with a ton of eggs.

Sexlinks are another story. They're bred to give 365 eggs their first year then drop dead.

Seriously, sex links only live for a year?!? I have a red one, Rosie, who is my favorite. She’s the smartest and sweetest bird, I would hate for that to be here fate.
I don’t care about egg production, I have always wanted to have a small flock of pet chickens. They will all live out their natural (hopefully long) life on our farm.